Brawn served as the technical director at Benetton and at Ferrari during Michael Schumacher’s championship-winning years, and remains close friends with the German and his family.

“There are encouraging signs and we are all praying every day that we see more of them,” Brawn told BBC Sport.

Article continues below ...

“All I would say is there is a lot of speculation about Michael's condition, most it's wrong and we just pray and hope every day that we continue to see some progress.”

Very little has been known about Schumacher’s condition as he continues to undergo rehabilitation at his home in Switzerland, although it was reported by his lawyer back in September that he could not walk or stand.

Schumacher remains the most statistically successful Formula One driver of all time, having 91 race wins and seven world championships to his name, including five in a row from 2000-2004 when he was racing for Ferrari.